Victoria is set to overhaul its child safety framework, with new legislation fast-tracked through Parliament to address systemic gaps in the Working With Children Check (WWCC) process.
Key Legislative Changes
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Immediate Suspension Powers: Under the new laws, Victorian authorities will be empowered to suspend an individual's WWCC during an active investigation. This measure aims to prevent continued access to children while serious allegations are being assessed.
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National Ban Enforcement: The legislation enshrines a “banned in one, banned in all” principle. If an individual is barred from working with children in any Australian jurisdiction, that ban will now apply nationally, closing loopholes that previously allowed movement between states.
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Systemic Overhaul: Premier Jacinta Allan described the reforms as part of a broader overhaul of the child safety system. The changes stem from a government-commissioned review led by former South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and senior bureaucrat Pamela White.
The review was prompted by revelations in July 2025 that a childcare worker had allegedly abused children aged between five months and two years. Despite prior terminations from multiple centres, the individual retained a valid WWCC at the time of arrest in May.
In 2023–24, Victoria recorded approximately 350,000 active WWCCs, underscoring the scale and importance of robust oversight mechanisms.
Reference:
Victoria Will Fast-Track New Child Safety Laws As Part Of A System ‘Overhaul’. Here’s What We Know
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